The other morning while the boys were having breakfast, I asked Calvin what he would like to bring to school for lunch.  I gave him the choice of the fried rice I made or the food that his grandpa has made.  This is what he said:

Calvin: I will bring your fried rice, mum.

Calvin: Mum, you are awesome!

Athan: Yeah mum, you are awesome!

Calvin: Mum, you are the most pretty girl!

Athan: Yeah mum, you are a pretty girl! And, papa is a beautiful girl too! hahahaha!

Both the boys broke up with laughter.

WOW! I was so surprised by their comments.  Apparently, in their little minds, I am awesome and good looking. 🙂 I felt so good! I know they probably won’t feel the same way about me in several years time.  And so, I better enjoy such little moments with the boys. They are precious.

I decided to take the boys out for a jog yesterday late afternoon.  Its probably our first time! Well, Calvin has recently participated in his school cross country run and he still seems to be filled with enthusiasm about running.  To keep up with that enthusiasm, I decide to jog with him. Of course Mr A wanted to tag along although he had no idea what jogging was!

Athan thought it was a race and so he ran as fast as he could.  He got tired after a short time and decided to take a rest.  Mr Calvin was obviously not happy about this because when Athan stopped, I had to stop and so did he.  Athan caught on to the idea of jogging eventually and with some encouragement, he kept going.  However, he was too slow and could not keep up.  He took way too many breaks in between.  How should one encourage a 4-year-old to keep jogging and not give up?  I really wasn’t very good at doing that there and then, but I did tell him he had to go on.  And so he requested to hold hands with me while we jogged. 🙂 How nice.  Well, this clever little thing knew that if I held hand with him, he would not be left behind!  But I also knew that if I jogged with him hand in hand, it is less likely for him to give up.  I could only urge Calvint o be patient with his little brother.

It worked well.  Along the way, in fact the whole way, Athan was talking non stop.  He is a real chatter box, I kid you not.  He told me little stories that he made up as well as about all the things that he saw along the way.  He has something to say about everything. At times, I only said “uh huh” and he actually asked me what I meant by “uh huh”!  He wanted me to listen to him and answer appropriately, not just say “uh huh”.  Demanding or not? I am not sure if I have shared in this space before that Athan loves to talk.  He really does.  The father reckons that he takes after me. 🙂

Anyhow, we managed to *slow* jog all the way with Calvin in the lead.  I have to say I am proud of my little boy who did not give up.  I also have to say that Calvin can really run.  I honestly think that if it were only me and him jogging, he could easily surpass me.  Truth is, I am so unfit now.  Guess I better get my act together and start exercising.

On another note: Calvin did not come in first, second or third at his school cross-country run.  He came in 5th.  He told me that he fell down at some point as the grass was very slippery but he quickly stood up and ran again.  He was so adamant that if he did not fall, he could come in second.  I took the chance to let him know what I thought.  I told him I was very proud of him at the fact that he did not stop despite the fall nor did he give up even when he felt so tired at one point.  I also told him that  it is more important that he did not give up as compared with coming in first.  I think he got the point.  He was happy that his effort has gained some points for his faction (he is in the green team).  He may be in Year 1, but this little man can be very competitive.  He always want to win.  The school sports day is coming up in a few weeks’ time and he has been telling me about the training at school and how fast he can run and who he can and cannot beat at running races …. He wanted me to go watch him run — so badly.  I guess I better make time to go watch my boy run.

Athan: I am on a mission!

Me: What mission ? (sort of expecting some great things)

Athan: This toy is broken, that toy is broken, this is broken too …. I am going to fix all the toys!

Me: So your mission is to fix your toys?

Athan: Yup.

Me: 🙂

After thought: Fixing toys can be a mission too. 🙂

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Athan was trying to put his jacket on and I asked him if he needed help :

Me: Do you need help with that?

Athan: No, mum I am 16 years old and I don’t need your help! I am going to the beach with my friends.

Me: Ok, bye!

After thought: I really don’t want my boy to grow up too fast!

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The other day the husband asked Athan this question:

Robin: Athan, what are you most scared of?

Athan: umm… monsters, bad robots and bad people

Robin: Why?

Athan: I scared they take me away …..

Robin: What else are you scared of?

Athan: I scared you and mama die …..

Robin: *speechless* (probably did not expect such answer from the boy)

Me: Why are you scared of that? (after a long pause)

Athan: Because then “gor gor” (Calvin) and I don’t know what to do…..no one look after us ….

After thought: Gee, I seriously did not expect my 4-year-old to say such things. Seems like little people do think about life and death.  I also realise that Mr A’s fear is not so much of shadow or dark corners/rooms, rather, he is more afraid of being taken away by “bad” people/robot/monsters.   It is also interesting to note that at this age he is aware that he is dependent on us, his parents.  We do encourage him to pray that God will sustain our family and keep us together.

I often get Calvin to read to Athan, especially when I am preparing dinner. Not only does reading together distract them a little from waiting for their meal, it also help them to spend some quality time together.  And, it gives me some peace to cook! 🙂

Calvin has been bringing home a book to read from school everyday.  The teacher even set up a reading diary to record all the books that he has read.  I have to sign the diary after Calvin has read the book. After nearly 2 terms of reading practice, I am glad to report that the boy’s reading skill has improved.  He can now read books independently that are at his level.  He still has a long way to go, but I must say I am very pleased with his progress so far.

I love to see the boys discovering the story by themselves or made up stories of their own when the words get too hard.  As parents, we do have to encourage the boys to read.  Having said that, I too have to add that children will eventually read when they are ready.  We can’t force them.  Reading should be enjoyable.

This evening when I was emptying the letter box, I found a bunch of junk mail amongst other actual mail. The boys came over to help and they each found a toy catalog which sent them jumping for joy. 🙂 I so wished they hadn’t see any of those catalogs!  Well, school holiday is only a stone throw away and so the shops are taking the opportunity to advertise on a big scale.

Moments later, I found the boys talking excitedly among themselves, exchanging notes on what they have found in the catalogs.  They even circle the toys that they wanted.

And so, they have found the toy that they wanted. Calvin wanted some toy that cost $9 which to him is *very cheap*! Athan wanted this red ride-on car that cost $149! My answer was “NO” to both. Sounded quite mean of me, but I did suggest a deal to them.  I asked them to choose between watching a movie in the cinema and buying toy in the hope that they would choose the first option.  Here’re their answers:

Calvin : Hmmmmm…. I will think about it.

Athan: Later then buy.

What did he mean?  After some questioning, he meant *watch movie then buy toy later*! Then the father came along and they decided to work on the dad instead.

Athan: Papa, I want to buy this toy (pointing at the red car in his catalog).

Robin: You want to buy toy?  What about I give away all your toys to other children first?

Athan: (without hesitation) OK!

Robin: LOL!

Gee, this kid is really determined to get that red ride-on car! In the end, we told them why we were not buying toys and how fortunate they are to have so much already. Child no. 1 seemed to understand the reasoning while child no. 2 paused and reluctantly said “OK”. 🙂

Morning is a busy time at our home, especially on days that I am working. I have to get myself as well as the boys ready for school and day care. I have to pack lunches …. and also make sure the boys eat their breakfast, clean up, go toilet etc etc. It is a very busy time.

This morning, I was dressed in a pair of linen pants and a white top for work. I would consider that as very adequate for office wear until my 6-year-old boy said to me “mum, why are you still in pyjamas?” I was seriously taken aback and I have to admit I did think of changing into something else. However, time was running out, and at that moment I preferred to trust my own instinct! Anyway, come to think of it, it must be the colour combination that has made Calvin think I am wearing pyjamas. 🙂

Calvin had his class Christmas lunch party today. The children were allowed to wear Christmas colour clothes. We decided for Calvin to wear a red top over his dark green school shorts. BUT. This morning, I totally forgot about the red top and so did Calvin. When we arrived at school and saw all the children wearing colourful clothes, Calvin was so conscious of himself. He was upset that I forgot. I felt sorry for my boy as I did not want him to feel left out. And then two other boys came in their school uniform just like Calvin! I was relieved — well at least Calvin won’t be the only one wearing school uniform! (I felt bad to think this way …) That kind of made Calvin feel better and I did not have to go home to get his red shirt.

Today when I arrived to pick Athan at his day care, I saw the carer talking to him and another boy. Later, I found out that the other boy, an older boy, had pushed Athan at the playground. When I asked Mr A about it later in the car, he told me that he pushed the boy too! When I asked why, he said “the boy pushed me first!”. And, even later when we picked Calvin at his after school care, we were invited to join in the Christmas party! Of course we stayed. A little boy, about 2 kept wanting to *fight* with Calvin. He would pushed Calvin till they reached the floor. Throughout the whole *fight* Calvin did not do anything except for telling the boy to stop. Mr C just won’t fight back. Mr A, the younger brother, upon seeing his big brother being bullied by the little boy went over and wanted to hit the little boy with his fist! I was appalled! No kidding. Fortunately, the little boy’s father came in time to pull them apart. See the difference between C and A? I have always taught my boys not to hit back at those who hit them because I do not want them to resolve fighting with fighting. Some parents, though, will want their child to fight back as this will stop bullying. I am not sure whether I have taught the boys the right way to deal with such situation …. tough one.

This is Athan amusing himself with a toy storage box and one of my eco bags. He said he was sitting in a boat going somewhere. Kids at his age are full of imagination at play time. I should also add that Mr A is full of mischief too. 🙂

The boys collected me at my room this morning. I was told to close my eyes as they walked me to the living area. When I opened my eyes, this was what I saw:

They have used every piece of their blocks to build what they called “the spaceship castle”. My whole rug was used as the ground, the single pieces of blocks around the rug were supposed to be the wall (to block off the baddies), the blocks with a “round” thing on it were guns, and the spaceship castle lived within the wall. Only they were allowed to be in the castle! How fun. I wish I have such good imagination!

The following conversation took place today after kindy class when Athan saw this little girl carrying a toy santa who could spin and sing.

Athan: Mama, I want you to buy that for me.

Me: Buy what?

Athan: That toy (pointing at the toy santa).

Me: Do you have money?

Athan: I want my tooth to drop off, mama.

Me: (puzzled) Why?

Athan:Because then the tooth fairy will come and give me money and I can buy the toy!

Me: LOL!

Athan: Why are you laughing, mama?

I’m just amazed(and amused) at how he can still remember the story about tooth fairy!

We were in Singapore for the last 2 weeks and hence the silence in this space. We attended my brother’s wedding — that was the main reason for going to Singapore at this time of the year — and caught up with family and friends. The boys had a ball with their cousins and Calvin was in tears on the morning we were due to return! He is such a emotional boy, I have to say. I endeavour to write more when I get the time. At the mean time, here are 2 photos of the boys (in case you missed them! :))

Boys enjoying the inflight entertainment.

Boys sharing a cold juice at breakfast.